Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEvents & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused Award
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
The award aims to foster sustainability in the industry. The winner in the student designer category will receive an internship with Kering’s jewelry brands, while the winner in the startups category will be awarded mentorship with Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano.
Paris—Kering’s sustainability-focused award, in partnership with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano, has returned for its second edition.
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” debuted last year at JCK Las Vegas as an extension of its “Generation Award” that launched in 2018 for the fashion sector.
The award seeks to promote sustainability and innovation in the jewelry sector, focusing on efforts by young designers and startups.
“In today’s world, the jewelry we produce must reflect society’s concern for environmental and social awareness, enhanced through the innovative use of new technologies and knowledge in a circular economy. The Kering Generation x Jewelry award celebrates this movement,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO.
The theme of the second edition is the same as the first edition, “Second Chance, First Choice.”
Kering said the goal of the theme is to reduce the environmental impact of the jewelry industry in terms of products, processes, services, and technology through innovative solutions across new innovative materials, artificial intelligence, packaging, and retail-focused technologies.
Related stories will be right here …
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” debuted last year at JCK Las Vegas as an extension of its “Generation Award” that launched in 2018 for the fashion sector.
The award seeks to promote sustainability and innovation in the jewelry sector, focusing on efforts by young designers and startups.
“In today’s world, the jewelry we produce must reflect society’s concern for environmental and social awareness, enhanced through the innovative use of new technologies and knowledge in a circular economy. The Kering Generation x Jewelry award celebrates this movement,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO.
The theme of the second edition is the same as the first edition, “Second Chance, First Choice.”
Kering said the goal of the theme is to reduce the environmental impact of the jewelry industry in terms of products, processes, services, and technology through innovative solutions across new innovative materials, artificial intelligence, packaging, and retail-focused technologies.
Kering and its jewelry brands—Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, and Qeelin—will work with 10 universities, selected by Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano—that offer courses on jewelry and sustainability for the contest.
The students will be mentored by the professors and tasked with transforming discarded materials into valuable pieces, while the startups will use an existing product, technology, or services in the jewelry sector that aligns with the contest’s theme.
“This approach aims to elevate the concept of sustainability, transcending the value of materials,” said Kering.
“By engaging young creatives from leading international academic institutions and emerging entrepreneurial ventures, the initiative positions itself as a space for collaboration and experimentation, dedicated to fostering new ideas and responsible approaches for the future,” added Alba Cappellieri, head of jewelry at Politecnico di Milano and the scientific coordinator of the award.
The four shortlisted finalists of the Kering Generation Award x Jewelry will present their projects to a jury in July during Haute Couture Week in Paris.
Two winners will be chosen, one student and one startup.
The student winner will be offered an internship opportunity with one of Kering’s jewelry brands.
The startup winner will be awarded mentorship from Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano.
Applications will be accepted through April 15.
For more information and to apply, visit Poli.Design’s website.
“The success of the inaugural Kering Generation Award x Jewelry showed us just how many emerging leaders are eager to drive change and redefine sustainable jewelry,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer at Kering.
“At Kering, we believe that fostering ideas at the intersection of craftsmanship, technology, and environmental responsibility is not just important—it is essential.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
